An energy method for deformation behavior of soft clay under cyclic loads based on dynamic response analysis

Soft clay is fragile to be disturbed and to produce deformation under cyclic loads. A simple theoretical energy method is presented to explore the dynamic response of soft clay under cyclic loads, then to discuss its deformation behavior. In the formulation, equations are derived based on general thermodynamic principle and Newton's laws of motion. A series of cyclic triaxial tests are conducted for undisturbed samples of soft clay to verify the proposed method. Cumulative deformation is computed by the proposed approach. Results are compared with the experimental data, and good agreement is achieved. This paper develops a new insight to describe deformation behavior of soft soil under cyclic loads, and to predict the plastic accumulative deformation.